South Africa tours & travel

With communities of Blacks, Whites, Coloureds and Asians, South Africa truly is the Rainbow Nation.

After apartheid, Nelson Mandela adopted the term Rainbow Nation to refer to his beloved South Africa. The term barely does the country justice. Its colour shines not just in the customs and cultures of the people who live here, but in the sunsets over Orange River, the craggy views from the Drakenberg and the seaside lights over Cape Town.

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Well worth the money and time with transfers and expertise of tour operators well versed in topics of interest to inform travellers of local cultures, points of interest and using local and indigenous guides with personal knowledge.

Local culture of South Africa

Local culture of South Africa

As the South African anthem goes, there’s ‘unity in diversity’. Indeed, the South African population is broad, made up of black Africans of various ethnic groups, white settlers from all over Europe, and immigrants from Asia and greater Africa. Almost 80% of the population are Christian, but most of the black population combine the Christian beliefs with their traditional indigenous religion. As a result, many South Africans worship their ancestral spirits and consult traditional healers. Due to the diversity of the population, South Africa has 11 official languages.

Geography & environment

Geography & environment

South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent. It borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and surrounds the country of Lesotho. South Africa’s geography is characterized by large areas of flat plateau, encircled by the Great Escarpment which runs along the coast. South Africa has vast areas of scrubland (the Great Karoo), arid plains (Bushmanland), Highvelt (farmland) and Kalahari desert. The Cape Fold Mountains make up parts of the Great Escarpment, and include the Drakensberg, the tallest and one of the most spectacular peaks on the range.

Shopping guide to South Africa

Shopping guide to South Africa

South Africa tours take you through shopping opportunities in towns and cities, markets and department stores. You may like to buy some traditional handicrafts such as zulu beads as a memento of your trip. These colourful beaded necklaces and bracelets are used by the Zulu people to signify their marital status, but they also make attractive souvenirs. Township art is another South African invention. Locals produce art objects, bags, keyrings and the like from recycled junk. You’ll also find classically South African preserved goods like chutneys and jams made from local fruits, as well as the national tea, rooibos.

South Africa festival calendar

South Africa festival calendar

Cape Town Art Fair

This world class event showcases the best contemporary art in South Africa, with emerging and veteran artists, talks and performances.

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival

Cape Town’s carnival is a colourful event to say the least. Its considered a kind of ‘second new year’ by the locals, and features parades, dance and exciting contests.

FNB Dance Umbrella

Johannesburg’s dance and choreography festival celebrates the best dance troupes in the country as well as international acts and choreographers.

Food & drink in South Africa

Food & drink in South Africa

South African cuisine is made up of indigenous cookery and European influences. Traditional African cooking is often done outdoors in an iconic three-legged cast iron pot. It’s used to make stews of meat and vegetables, with a side of pap (the porridge-like staple. Grilled meat, especially game such as crocodile, ostrich and antelope, is a popularly eaten by the locals. Indian influences can be seen in dishes like bunny (hollowed-out and curry-filled loaf of bread (nhedzi soup), and continental influences can be seen in dishes like boerewors (farmer’s sausage).

Further reading

Further reading

Disgrace by JM Coetzee

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

Welcome to Our Hillbrow by Phaswane Mpe

The Pick Up by Nadine Gordimer

South Africa travel FAQs

Citizens of Australia, UK and most EU countries do not need visas to visit South Africa as a tourist for up to three months. Citizens of all countries should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever Certificate
As of October 1st 2011, A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is now required for all passengers over one year of age who arrive or are transiting through South Africa, from a country or region listed by the World Health Organization as infected by yellow fever. Travellers unable to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival in South Africa will be refused entry. There is no option for travellers without a vaccination certificate to be vaccinated on arrival. Please note this also includes transiting through an infected country or region. As of October 1st South Africa will also consider Zambia as a country infected by Yellow Fever even though the WHO does not currently list Zambia. All travellers from Zambia into South Africa will be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

A new immigration regulation will take effect from 1st October 2014, whereby parents will need to produce an original unabridged birth certificate if they are travelling with children. The new regulation has been put in place to protect children from being abducted, kidnapped and preventing child trafficking. The Department of Home Affairs has urged all parents to apply for unabridged certificates for their children. This is an requirement of the immigration regulation 6 (12)(a) for parents travelling with children. More information can be found here: http://www.nwivisas.com/nwi-blog/south-africa/grace-period-for-parents-travelling-with-children/#sthash.VKZSSlHE.dpuf.

You’ll have good mobile coverage across most of South Africa except for some rural and remote places. Remember to activate global roaming with your provider if you wish to use your mobile while traveling.

South Africa has Western-style toilets in places like hotels and restaurants, and basic squat toilets in rural areas and national parks. Soap and toilet paper aren’t always provided so you may like to carry some with you.

Tap water is considered safe in large cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, but in rural areas it is unsafe to drink. For environmental reasons, avoid buying bottled water and bring a bottle or canteen with you. Ask your leader where you can access filters to refill your supply, or carry your own purification tablets with you.